Forget Soviet tower blocks and the 'Iron Curtain.'  With its unspoiled coastline, historic cities and vibrant nightlife, Eastern Europe is enjoying a travel renaissance.

Exploring Eastern Europe by EuroRail

Thanks to cheap living costs and easy rail connections on the EuroRail, the region is becoming increasingly popular with backpackers and young travellers looking for a budget break.

Inter-railing is a great way to country-hop; it's typically the easiest, cheapest and most eco-friendly way to get across the borders while offering an incredibly scenic journey. Buy a 'flexi' pass for certain zones and you'll get unlimited train travel giving you the ability to freely explore countries as you choose.

But if you're planning on inter-railing around Europe, planning your itinerary can be confusing - with so many cities and countries to see, it can be difficult to know where to linger and where to watch from your window.   Read on for a Guide to Backpacking in Eastern Europe.

Guide to Backpacking in Eastern Europe: Prague, Budapest, Bratislava and Croatia

Backpacking in Prague

The capital of Bohemia, Prague is an artsy city with breathtaking architecture to match. Despite the stag and hen parties that can clog up the city center on a weekend, the nightlife still lives up to its reputation with cavernous clubs pumping out house music and outdoor old-world taverns serving frothy pints of beer.

Cross Charles Bridge (and marvel at the statues and street performers on your way) to the Old Town and the spires of Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world.

For a fascinating look at Jewish culture, head to the Jewish quarter; the synagogues that comprise the Jewish Museum tell the harrowing history of this community in Prague. For a more recent take on the city, the Museum of Communism (bizarrely located above a McDonalds) describes life under the Iron Curtain.

When you're looking for accommodation, bear in mind that rates are cheaper the further out you go - luckily the efficient tram system and compact city center mean getting around is no problem.

Backpacking in Budapest

The beauty queen of Eastern Europe, Budapest is a visual feast of glorious buildings and scenery along the River Danube. But there's also plenty to explore beneath the city streets.

Budapest is known as the 'city of spas' with a network of thermal spas (some hundreds of years old) runs below the city. After a spot of pampering, explore four of the 200 caves lurking beneath the castle district before venturing into Saint Stephen's Basilica to see the mummified hand of King Stephen, the country's first monarch.

When night falls, check out the open-air nightclubs on the banks of the River Danube or the atmospheric abandoned courtyards which have been transformed into Budapest's hippest night-spots. If you're feeling bleary eyed the next day, Hungarians are big coffee drinkers and there are plenty of places to join in the cafe-culture - order extra strong and black to fit in with the locals.

Cheap sleeps are also easy to find - many hostels in Budapest are housed in beautiful, renovated buildings, that retaining the Bohemian character and charm of the city.

Backpacking in Bratislava

The River Danube also runs proudly through the center of Bratislava, a city struggling to find its feet after splitting from Czechoslovakia in 1993. This capital of Slovakia has the architectural dazzle of Prague but none of the tourists and is a delightful city to simply wander around.

Ignore the awkward modern buildings left by the Communist regime and discover the castle housing the National Museum and offering fine mountain views. St Martin's Cathedral is another historical landmark - the site of many coronations - and the magnificent Devin castle lies west of the city if you're still hungry for history.

Food is served Hungarian style, with hearty portions of dumplings, cabbage, cheese and low prices ideal for hungry backpackers. Despite many of the architectural scars in Slovakia, hostels in Bratislava are typically housed in comfortable modern buildings with cool, artistic interiors. Choose one within stumbling distance of the cavernous beer halls for a 'cultural' night out!

Backpacking in Croatia

After an exhausting tour of Eastern Europe's cities, Croatia is the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. The Dalmatian Coast is an undiscovered gem in Eastern Europe, offering the pure white sands and translucent waters of the Caribbean for a fraction of the price.

Take a boat from Split and go island-hopping around Dalmatia.  There are around 2000 islands here although many travellers make a beeline for Hvar, Brac and Vis. Nightlife is also easy to come by in Croatia: Hvar is the party island, Split hosts a summer festival with an edgy line-up and Zagreb is packed with thriving open-air bars and clubs.

Croatia's historic cities are also worth a visit, from Dubrovik with its ancient Old Town, fifteenth-century monuments and medieval marble streets to Split's Roman Palace and archeological museums. You can easily find a hostel in Croatia, especially in the capital, which boasts a lively café culture, colorful markets, and parks and gardens.

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